Information Architecture Migration Readiness Assessment

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Written By Amber Swope
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Before implementing a CCMS, you need to assess the readiness of your information architecture. Download a PDF of this checklist here.

Metadata

Standardized metadata categories and values:

  • Consistent metadata categories and value definitions

  • Clear source for metadata categories and values

  • Plan for applying categories and values to topics, maps, and media files

Content Lifecycle

Standardized workflow (milestones):

  • Lifecycle plan that supports the content strategy goals

  • Agreement by all CCMS users on the workflow and milestones for the content lifecycle

  • Plan for CCMS (as opposed to DITA metadata values) to track workflow and milestones

  • Proposed lifecycle that provides enough traceability for quality control and reporting

Content Versioning

Standardized versioning plan:

  • Clarity about how to track changes in files

  • Plan for moving from DITA metadata version values to CCMS-managed values

Localization

Localization strategy:

  • Translation plan for each element

  • Plan to sparingly use DITA attributes for translation support

  • Limited inline content reuse

Maps & Topics

Consistent map and topic structure and element usage:

  • Identified map and topic purpose

  • Defined structure for each map and topic by purpose

  • Individual topic files instead of composite topics

  • Consistent semantic elements usage

Media

Successful strategy for media management:

  • Consistent element usage to reference each media type

  • Standard set of attribute values for reference elements

  • Clarity on media storage and how it may change references in your content

Reuse

Successful strategy for identifying and organizing reusable content:

  • Clarity about which elements to content reference, key reference, and content key reference

  • Standardized conditions and values usage

  • Guidance for which reuse mechanism to use for each intended result

  • Plan to organize shared content for easy access in CCMS

If you want to learn more about maximizing your CCMS investment with information architecture, consider booking a coaching package with Amber Swope.

Amber Swope
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